Product Comparison: Rega Planar 1 vs Rega RP1

The new Planar 1 is the most user friendly Rega turntable to date. Now with preset bias force on the brand new RB110 tonearm, the Planar 1 is set up in seconds after unpacking. Simply slide the balance weight onto the rear of the tonearm as far as it will go, remove the stylus guard and start spinning your favourite vinyl.

Rega's new RP1 turntable was designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product, which will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting all the usual gimmicks allowed Rega to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately.

Key Specs

Drive Type

Belt drive

Belt drive

Operation Type

Semi-Automatic

Semi-Automatic

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rega Planar 1 Black

As is typical on budget audiophile decks controls are super-rudimentary.

Smooth operation and easy to set up.

There's not much adjustment here, actually - no skate or weight adjustment controls - which is user-friendly but you can't easily elect to give a little extra weight at time to help those skippy records.

For Hifi buffs this is probably too low end and for those new to vinyl too lacking in features and complicated in operation.

This TT is not automatic so you have to position the tone arm manually at the start and pick it up when it's done.

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

The speed change from 33 to 45 is accomplished by lifting off the platter and moving the drive belt to a larger cylinder on the motor spindle.

Given the amount of records I play, she will probably be my next xx-year turntable, may upgrade the belt but saw no difference in the glass turntable-platter.

I do not want to purchase any 'upgrades' unless they are Rega products like the white belt.

Everything from the platter to the drive belt to the motor can be upgraded to higher quality components if you so choose. But I digress.

I can see where if operated with the dustcover down (and its hinges are not designed for the long term), that there might be some resonance.

Setup was easy (I paired this up to a pre-ject audio preamp and connected with my receiver.

It’s a long time since I’ve played vinyl though with this turntable I’ll be playing and buying more. Easy as can be to set up, minutes and you’re away. Really happy with this purchase, well worth the money.

The plinth is gloss black, as is the fairly thick phenolic platter.

Comes with phono cable and everything needed ready to go. It does have a plastic cover which isn't clear in the photograph.

Sounds great (when eventually set up), instructions are only a few paragraphs, the turntable comes with two (a red and white) budget style RCA lead no other way of outputting or inputting, so no bluetooth etc.

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

It had everything I ever wanted in an audio product: excellent timbral accuracy, low level detail, and great holographic imaging.

Great entry point into enjoying higher quality vinyl.

Friends have told me that getting into vinyl can be a slippery slope, but if this is the payoff then so far I'd say it is well worth it.

The base/plinth is particle board covered with laminate, not bad though.

The dust cover hinges are very cheap and I can see them wearing out in the near future.